Orion, meanwhile, was already plotting his next move. With two days to kill, he could afford to take it easy. But that didn’t mean he’d let his mind wander. Tony Stark—yes, that Tony Stark—was about to step into the spotlight in a way that would shake up the world. And for Orion, that meant it was time to pull some strings of his own.
He opened his stock trading software, a faint smile ghosting over his lips as he scanned the numbers. Over the next month, he’d be offloading a cool 1.1 billion dollars’ worth of Stark Industries shares. Not all at once, of course. That would spook the market and paint a target on his back. No, this required finesse. A gradual sale, quiet and unnoticed, while Stark's public antics sent the stock price into a nosedive. Then, when the dust settled, Orion would swoop in, buy back the shares at a bargain, and let Stark’s inevitable comeback multiply his investment. Easy money.
His stomach growled, interrupting his scheming with all the subtlety of a chainsaw. Orion glanced down, mildly annoyed. One of the less glamorous side effects of his… enhancements. He sighed, pushing back from his desk. "Alright, fine. Food first, world domination later."
He strolled into his garage—a car enthusiast’s dream with enough horsepower to make James Bond jealous. Sleek lines, polished chrome, and engines that purred like jungle cats. After a moment of deliberation, he settled on the Audi R8. It suited his mood: sharp, fast, and just a little flashy. The engine roared to life, echoing through the cavernous space as he pulled out of the driveway and onto the open road.
The destination? Kerrington, a high-end restaurant that catered to the city’s elite. Orion leaned back in the sleek leather seat of his Audi R8, his thoughts wandering as the cityscape blurred by. His system, a gift (or curse, depending on the day), granted him access to the Void and its mysterious arsenal of avatars. Each came with its own flavor of power, and baggage. There was the Void Walker, Void Wizard, Void Beast, Abyss Maw, Void Seer, Void Eye, Void Reaver, and Void Terror.
But not all of them made the cut. Orion had already scratched the Void Beast, Void Wizard, and Abyss Maw off his list. Sure, they were strong, and their potential was sky-high, but unlocking that power was like trying to make a soufflé while blindfolded: tedious, unpredictable, and likely to blow up in your face.
The Void Seer, with its cryptic prophecies, was tempting, but Orion already had enough weird déjà vu moments thanks to what he suspected were memories from a past life. No need to double down on existential headaches.
Void Walker, on the other hand, offered space-bending powers that screamed “cool protagonist energy.” But he wasn’t planning to hop dimensions anytime soon—life in the Marvel Universe was chaotic enough.
Void Eye was another contender. Extreme intelligence and the ability to analyze anything? Sign him up! Except it didn’t enhance his physical strength, and what good was brains without brawn when someone like Hulk could accidentally sit on you?
That left the Void Reaver and Void Terror. Both were top-tier, but Orion ultimately chose the Void Reaver. It felt like the right fit—powerful, dynamic, and a little bit reckless. Perfect.
Two years later, the decision was paying off in spades. Orion had mastered most of the Void Reaver’s abilities, turning himself into a one-man army. Mach 4 flight speeds? Check. Near-impenetrable defenses? Check. Bullets? Barely a tickle. His hearing could pick up whispers miles away, though using it too long gave him a headache that could rival Thor’s hammer.
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Poisons, flames, ice, lightning—you name it, his body shrugged it off. He wasn’t invincible yet, though. There were still heavy hitters like the Ancient One and Captain Marvel roaming around. He wasn’t eager to test his luck against them.
Strength-wise, though? He could probably take on Superman—if he existed here. For now, he was playing the long game. No point in rushing greatness.
Unlocking a second avatar slot was another mystery. The system, kept telling him, “It’s not the right time.”
Orion turned into a valet station in Hell’s Kitchen, the low hum of his car purring to a stop. He stepped out, adjusting his crisp suit jacket. With his tall, muscular frame and sharp features, he looked like the protagonist of every spy thriller ever made. Add his Audi to the mix, and heads turned wherever he went. Women stole glances, their curiosity thinly veiled.
He was used to it. Occasionally, someone caught his eye, but Orion had standards. Looks were great, but he needed more—spark, depth, someone who could keep up.
“Mr. Orion,” a familiar voice chimed. A blonde woman with a confident stride approached, her smile as dazzling as her blue eyes. “Charming as ever.”
“Miss Diana,” Orion said, smirking. “How many times do I have to tell you—I’m not interested in that sort of thing?”
Diana laughed, her tone playful. “Oh, I know. But I can’t help wondering—who will be the lucky one to win your heart?” She gestured toward the restaurant with a dramatic flourish. “Come on in. The chefs started cooking the moment they heard you were coming.”
“Now, that’s the kind of welcome I could get used to,” Orion said, flashing her a grin. He paused, a mischievous glint in his eye. “How about breakfast tomorrow? My treat.”
Diana raised an eyebrow, her smile turning coy. “Not every day I get an offer like that. I’ll think about it.”
After devouring a meal worthy of a king, Orion strolled back to his car. It was nearly midnight when he pulled into his sprawling manor’s driveway. Beneath the estate lay his secret training area—a massive underground facility spanning three floors. It was built like a labyrinth, designed to keep prying eyes away.
Inside, targets zipped around erratically, their movements a challenge even for someone of his caliber. Orion relished the chaos, pushing himself to stay sharp. Strength was great, but being sloppy with it? Unacceptable.
As he landed a precision strike on a particularly fast target, the system chimed in his head.
[Your energy has reached one million. Please select your skill.]
Orion wiped his brow, curiosity piqued. A menu of options materialized before him:
Intangible Threat
An unseen force amplifies cutting and piercing power against a single foe within ten meters. Each strike carries a deadly precision, carving through the air with an edge honed by the void itself.
Taste the Fear
A whirlwind of sixteen silent strikes, each landing with ruthless precision. The relentless assault leaves lone targets defenseless, their armor shredded and their resolve broken.
Void Thrust
Explosive bursts of toxic energy erupt in every direction, each thrust siphoning life force from nearby enemies. The stolen energy revitalizes the wielder, turning pain into power.
Leap Attack Evolution
An earth-shattering leap that turns every landing into a seismic strike. The sheer force of impact ripples outward, sending shockwaves through the ground and scattering enemies like leaves in a storm.
Void Attack
A seamless blend with the darkness, rendering the user undetectable in pitch black. Speed surges to unmatched levels, allowing silent, devastating strikes from the shadows.
Void Skin
A living armor of void energy envelops the user, absorbing damage and exuding a menacing aura. The shifting surface radiates power, amplifying abilities and instilling fear in all who dare to approach.
Orion scanned the list, his lips curling into a grin. The choice was obvious. He selected Void Skin, the ultimate defensive skill.
[Void Skin has been mastered to Level 25. Mental resistance: Level 15. Hearing: Level 13.]